The Man Who Changed His Skin

I will, yes. Even though I'm really not figuring to stay at all, at all. At least this trip. Because I haven't so awfully much to say, you see. And have much to do today. To argue price with a man who has a rare leatherbound book about Druids. The Druids, you know--that's an awfully pretty dress you've got on. Those new contraptions--hoops--certainly are wider than the old dresses, aren't they? And--I will keep my coat and hat near me, though, on the settee yonder, if you don't mind?"

"As you like," she said, airy-fairily.

He stepped over to the piece of furniture in question, tossed his widebrimmed brown felt hat on the fireside end of it, divested himself of his coat, and laid it alongside the hat. Looked appraisingly up and down of himself in his wide-lapeled brown frock coat, with its huge silk-cloth covered buttons, that fell clear to his knees, and from below which, tube like, the perfectly tailored stovepipe-legged trousers visibly descended to polished bootlike shoes. While he could at